WOMAN FILES INTENT TO SUE POLICE

THE HARTFORD COURANT

* A woman arrested at Winsted Memorial Hospital in May has filed a notice of intent to sue the police department, claiming she was assaulted by police officers.

Theresa Gunnell, 32, of 161 E. Lake St. filed the notice Wednesday with the town clerk. The notice charges that Gunnell suffered wrist, elbow, shoulder and abdominal injuries, bruises on her face and legs and severe emotional trauma from the May 7 incident at the now- closed hospital.

According to a report filed by Officer Timothy O'Connor, officers were called to the hospital when Gunnell, who was a patient, threatened to jump out a third-floor window. A short time later police were again called to the hospital when Gunnell said she wanted to make a complaint against a nurse who she said assaulted her. Police were called to the hospital a third time that night on a complaint that Gunnell was "causing a disturbance" in the intensive care unit while she waited for an ambulance to take her to another hospital, the report states.

O'Connor's report states that when Gunnell attempted to hit an officer she was arrested for disorderly conduct. "It took myself, Officer Reichenberg and eight hospital staff 43 minutes to restrain Gunnell," O'Connor wrote in his report.

David K. Jaffe, Gunnell's attorney, said his client received serious injuries at the hands of police and acted strangely at the time of the incident because she was suffering from a reaction to medications administered at the hospital. "She is a normal and peaceful person," Jaffe said Wednesday.

Jaffe said his client is also considering legal action against the hospital because of the incident.

The disorderly conduct charge against Gunnell was nolled in Bantam Superior Court on May 20, a court spokesman said.

Police Chief Anthony J. Paige Jr. said the matter will be referred to the town attorney and the insurance company.